Father Reeves

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Contents

Chap. Pack

I. Lambeth Chapel.. 7

II. AUTOBIOGRAPHY 12

Chapter I

THE GREAT ENDS OF CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHY ARE INSTRUCTION AND EXAMPLE. BY FAITHFULLY DESCRIBING THE LIVES OF MEN EMINENT FOR GODLINESS, WE NOT ONLY EMBALM THEIR MEMORY, BUT FURNISH OURSELVES WITH FRESH MATERIALS AND MOTIVES FOR A HOLY LIFE. FULLER.

LAMBETH CHAPEL.

A little more than forty years ago, the active men in London Methodism made considerable efforts at chapel extension, and Lambeth chapel was among those erected, through their instrumentality, in the year 1808.

Churches were few, evangelical preaching rare ; and the ministry of such men as Benson, Clarke, Moore, and others, was a powerful attraction, and a large congregation was soon gathered. The Lambeth Society was an excellent one ; there were men of intelligence, piety, and good social position at its head : by degrees, however, many of these were removed, either by death, or to other localities ; by degrees, also, other places for worship were opened, and both the society and congregation frequently changed in its leading features.

Very few remain who were connected with Lambeth Methodism in 1808. One aged saint, who has survived all her contemporaries, and many of her juniors, and two or three gray-headed men, who were then in the prime of early manhood, are about all (who now worship at the chapel) who were at all known in the society at Lambeth forty-four years ago.

But Lambeth chapel has not been opened in vain ; multitudes have there heard the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, embraced its invitations, and died in the faith ; and though manifold changes have taken place, the present generation of worshippers listen to the same truths, sing the same hymns, and converse, in their classmeetings, of the same heaven, as those who first crowded within the chapel walls.

LAMBETH CHAPEL. 9

In the winter of 1808, a poor young countryman, who had lived some three years in the neighbourhood, but without God and without hope, softened through affliction, found his way to Lambeth chapel. It was the first Monday evening in December : he was entirely unknown to preacher and congregation, but the service was for him, as though no one else was present ; he listened — he trembled. The message to the Laodicean Church was read: the tones struck sharply and terribly on his conscience ; it appeared as though the Saviour once more uttered the words — " Behold I stand at the door and knock ; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me."

Here was Christ's appeal — here the sinner's opportunity. The young man opened his heart to the heavenly visitant, tears of repentance were shed, holy resolutions formed, and the way of life deliberately and decisively chosen.

Mr. William Reeves joined the Methodist Society immediately, and about a month after obtained peace with God. He had reached the age of twenty-eight, and yet was scarcely able to read. He wanted to read his Bible, and he Spread the book before the Lord, and, praying for divine aid, he spelt out the words, and accomplished his wishes.

His prospects in this life seemed limited, for he possessed only very humble abilities ; yet devoting these with singular entireness of purpose to the service of God, he was borne at length to the grave amidst the lamentations of more than two thousand people, who recognised and " glorified the grace of God" in him.

Few among the congregation where he was so powerfully and effectually convinced of sin, would think anything of the probable course of the poor and ignorant young man before them ; they would rejoice that another soul had yielded to the Saviour, but think little more of the event ! Yet in that young countryman there lay an earnestness of intention, a consecration of soul to one object, which God, notwithstanding educational deficiences, so abun-

LAMBETH CHAPEL. 11

dantly honoured, that, as far as human judgment can form an estimate of usefulness, the Lambeth Society has never had a man, no matter what his station or advantages, so eminently useful as the late loved and honoured Father Reeves. A few pages of this little book are devoted to the exhibition of his character — as a class-leader, prayer-leader, visitor of the sick, and private Christian. But first, however, let the reader take a fragment of autobiography.

Chapter II. Who That Hath Ever Been

COULD BEAR TO BE NO MORE ?

TET, WHO WOULD TREAD AGAIN THE SCENE

HE TROD THROUGH LIFE BEFORE ?

J. MONTGOMERY.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

" William Reeves was born in the parish of Cudham, in Kent, December 15, 1779. My parents had no saving knowledge of God, though they lived a reputable moral life. Having a large family, they could not put their children to school, so that we had no learning; only our dear parents taught us the Lord's Prayer and the Belief, and told us of heaven and hell, for which I pray that God would bless them.

" As soon as I was able, I went to work with my father as a farmer's boy; and when a child, I often had the fear of God before my eyes, and felt his Spirit striving with me ; but not knowing what it was, I soon quenched it. I remember also the sore temptation of the devil. When I was about ten or eleven years of age, Satan tempted me to curse God. I trembled at the thought of it, and knew not what I should curse God for ; however, this temptation followed me for many days, and became stronger and stronger, till one day — I shall never forget the place — Satan got the mastery, and I, O wretch ! — I cursed God in my heart ; and then, whenever I went to the place, or thought of it, I was miserable. Again, tv^o years after, in 1792, as I was gleaning, in the month of August, there was an eclipse of the sun, and Satan tempted me to curse. Here I also yielded, to my sorrow. All these things I kept to myself, and it was of God's mercy that he did not send me to hell.

"About 1794, I left my dear parents and hired myself to a farmer for one year. There were many in that place that had no fear of God before their eyes, and I joined with them in all their excesses of riot. I stayed there two years, and then went to another and a worse place : here Satan had his will of me ; the fear of God left me in a great degree, and conscience became hardened. I stayed there one year. In 1797, I returned to my parents ; and, for a little time, refrained from serine sins, and thought a little more of God. This did not last long. I now thought myself a man, and resolved to leave my dear parents again. Then my dear father gave me the advice he had often given before, whenever I left him, and which I never entirely forgot. These were his words : — ' Will, d<T not forget God ; always say your prayers, wherever you are. 5

" So, in the year 1798 I went to Eltham, in Kent. Here I lived in all manner of sin for two years, and yet the good Spirit of God would strive with me, and I would then make resolutions to serve him ; but O, how soon did I forget to perform them ! But God in his great love found out a better place for me. In the year 1801, I agreed with a master wheelwright to be apprenticed to him for three years. This was at Wigmore, near Bromley, Kent. I believe he was a good man. He belonged to Mr. Wesley's Society, and he used all the means he could to get me to join the society. I did so, and attended the prayer-meeting on Sunday morning, the preaching, and my class, very regularly for three quarters of a year ; and here I was more ' deeply convinced of sin than I had ever been; so that I was often obliged to go into the outbuildings and fall on my knees, and cry to God for mercy.

"But my master had an ungodly son near my own age. I gave way to him, and followed the pleasures of this world again, and so broke off from the means of grace a little at a time, and only went when it suited me ; but by the mercy of God I was kept from gross sins. Thus I went on for a year and a quarter longer ; then, being annoyed by the younger sons, tempted by the devil, and by trials in the world, I left my master before my time was out.

"I then sought work as a journeyman in my trade. God had so blessed me in two years with readiness to learn my trade, that I could do almost anything at it. I then went to Woolwich Warren, and got

16 FATHER KEEVES.

some work promised; but, before beginning, I went to see my parents. My dear father, fearing the dreadful company that was in the Warren, got me employment with a wheelwright near home.

"I kept in work one year, and had' much of the fear of God before my eyes, and my father and I attended very often a little chapel at Knockholt, belonging to Mr. Wesley; and I often found God so striving with me, that in the fields I have been obliged to fall on my knees and cry to him ; but I did not fully understand the way of salvation,therefore I did not enj oy it.

"I had a sincere friend in London in the coach-building trade, and he was so kind as to get me work in that trade, which was much better than my former business : so, in the year 1805, I came to London. Here I was exposed to many temptations I had not seen before ; but at first the fear of God kept me. I often used private prayer ; this, however, soon ceased, and I began to break the Sabbath, to get hardened, and to run into all sin with greediness.

"But my conscience would sometimes smite me, and then the devil would tell me that that was not the time to serve God, but after I had got more of this world's goods, or after I had seen a little more of this world's pleasure; and thus the devil led me on for two years, and at last he told me I should give myself to God after I was married; and I never shall forget the promises I made to God, on my knees, in the shop, a day or two before I married. I promised, if he would give me the desire of my eyes I would then give him all my heart. God gave me my wife on October 5, 1807 ; but O, how soon did I break my vow to him ! Here I would say, indeed God is long-forbearing, and it is of his mercy that I was not consumed. Here also I would notice the love of God to me, in giving me a wife so agreeable to my desire — a sober, honest, industrious, loving one, that strove to make us comfortable in this life ; and I bless God, notwithstanding my other sins, he kept me from idleness and drunkenness,

" But my poor dear wife knew nothing of God ; she had sometimes attended her church, but knew not how she should be saved, and very seldom thought of God at all ! so I kept God's dealings with me to myself.

" I had but little money : for, what with putting myself apprentice at twenty-two years of age, and learning two trades before I was married, I had only six pounds after the wedding was over, and there were no friends on either side to give us so much as one shilling ; so I took a ready furnished room at seven shillings a week, for seven weeks, and then my employer advanced me money to get a bed, a table, and chairs ; and thus we began this life together.

"All this time I neglected the vows that I had made, till — O, that blessed date ! — July, 1808. Lord help me never to forget it! My dear wife was taken ill, confined to her bed for many weeks, and her sufferings were so great, none but those who saw her can have more than a faint idea of them. This affliction continued, more or less, for seven years. But she had not been afflicted more than a week before I was taken very ill, so that we did not know which would die first, for we lay together on the bed, and could not help one another ; and though I was not so fall of pain as my dear wife; yet the care I had what we should do to live was great, for one day we had only twopence left, and I knew not where to go for more ; but the Lord provided in a way unknown. "But this was not the greatest of my affliction ; for then all my sins and unpaid vows came before me, so that I saw and felt, if I died, hell must be my portion. O, the agony of soul I then felt ! I began to cry for mercy, and for God to raise me up again ; and that kind and merciful God, who had been so many times merciful to me, once more heard me and restored my health. As soon as I was able, I went to a place of worship, and as often as I could. For several weeks I went from one place of worship to another, seeking to find one of Mr. Wesley's, for I thought I knew more about his preachers than any others. So it pleased the Lord, on the first Monday evening in December, 1808, to lead me into Lambeth chapel. O, the blessed hour I ever set my feet over that sill ! That dear man of God, (for so he was to me,) Mr. William Yipond, preached that night from Revelation iii, 20, ' Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' &c.

" He then described the many ways God made use of to knock at a sinner's heart ; and every way he described was just the way God had knocked at my heart ; and I had shut him out. O, the agony I then felt ! every description was like a twoedged sword to my soul. This was much deeper conviction than ever I had felt before ; my knees smote together, and I thought I should sink into hell.

" As soon as the sermon was ended, I was constrained to go trembling by myself into the vestry, to the dear man of God, to know what I should do. He then tried to give me some comfort, and spoke many comfortable words to me : but, alas ! I could take no comfort. He then spoke to Mr. Shaw, to take me to his class, which he did the next night.

u After chapel, I went home to my dear wife, and took the Bible, and sat down and wept. She asked me what I wept for : I told her I was such a great sinner ; and if she and I died in such a state we must go to hell. I then began to pray in secret, and read my Bible at all opportunities,* and strove for some time to make myself better by my own good works.

"I could get no rest day nor night, and what added to my sorrow was, my dear wife began to persecute me. This was a new and heavy trial, because it came from one I loved, and from whom I expected comfort — but, O ! to my sorrow, she got worse.

" I then began to pray with her, which

9 How very imperfectly our lamented friend could read at this time, may be learned from an extract from one of his papers, printed at length in chapter vii : " I, William Reeves, am the oldest member in the class, and I could not read a chapter in the word of God when I was converted ; but now, blessed forever be the Lord, I can say, ' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path/ "

At a recent Quarterly Meeting he confessed tearfully, but joyfully, that "he learned to read his Bible by spelling out the words on his knees."

at first was a great cross : but blessed be God who giveth grace, my prayers were heard and answered — the Lord convinced her of sin, she went to class with me, and this gave me great joy.

" Our worldly companions then began to forsake us, because when they came to see us our conversation was changed, and this they did not like ; so they soon all forsook us, and we forsook our Sunday pleasures. We gave up buying on that day, and cooking Sunday dinners, and I hope we shall never return to the practice. We then began to get a new company with the people of God, and they now became our delight. In about a month the Lord was pleased to set my soul at liberty. O, that happy moment ! The Lord help me to praise him, and never to forget it ! I then began to see the worth of precious souls, and that I had something more to do than merely to save my own soul. I began to rebuke sin wherever I saw it, and when I heard of any person sick, I could not rest until I had been to see them and told them of heaven and hell, and that they must repent, and what God had done for my soul. I was so ignorant that I thought they would believe all and receive all I said, and be saved. If they were in distress, I gave them all I had in my pocket. I then heard of the Benevolent or Strangers' Friend Society, and was recommended to it by my leader ; so I joined that blessed work of the Lord, to the joy of my heart.

" My dear wife and I continued in Mr. Shaw's class till he went to America, and then that dear man of God, Mr. Milburn, took the class, and he not only became my leader, but my father, brother, and friend. O that the Lord may make me thankful ! In that class I continued till it seemed good unto the Lord to remove me to be a leader of a class, December 3, 1818. O that the Lord may make me faithful in that important work, and help me to speak for eternity ! This was, indeed, a trial almost too great for me to bear, as I felt my own unworthiness for that great work. O that this may lead me nearer to God, who only can keep my soul !"

Chapter III

HAPPY THE MAN WHOSE HOPES RELY ON ISRAEL'S GOD; HE MADE THE SKY, '

THE EARTH AND SEA, WITH ALL THEIR TRAIN ; HIS TRUTH FOREVER STANDS SECURE, HE SAVES THE OPPRESSED, HE FEEDS THE POOR ;

AND NONE SHALL FIND HIS PROMISE VAIN.

DR. WATTS (PARAPHRASE).

PROYIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CARE.

Lsr one of the many closely-written books which Mr. Reeves has left behind him, he has recorded " the especial and particular providence of his ever-blessed God and Father." He narrates that in early youth he had " a strong and covetous desire to become rich," but praises the goodness of the Lord who would never permit him " to have a god of silver and gold." When he was convinced of sin he besought the Lord " to give him neither poverty nor riches, but his pardoning love ; to give him bread and water with the love of Jesus ;" and then he vowed " to devote all his life to the glory of God." The Lord pardoned his sins, and added the moderate but suf-

PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CARE. 25

ficient comforts which a mechanic could command.

Mr. Reeves probably never earned more than forty shillings per week — in most of his best days rarely more than thirty-five ; yet he always maintained a comfortable though frugal home ; always sustained according to his ability the institutions of Methodism; saved a trifle for old age; and late in life records rejoicingly, "that the Lord blessed him in soul and body, in basket and in store," and " had indeed led him into green pastures, and beside still waters, and had given him all he required."

This is strong language for a journeyman coachmaker, who, at the time it was written, was not able, from advanced age and other causes, to earn twenty shillings a week; who had infirm health, a wife to maintain, and many claims on his charity from the sick he delighted to visit : but, strong as it is, it was felt.

For twenty-seven years, from 1814 to 1841, he was employed on the same premises, and by one family. This he deemed a great blessing, and daily during that long period did he seek one particular spot in the yard, where, tinder shelter of some planks leaning against each other, he poured out his soul in earnest prayer for himself, his wife, his class, the sick, the Church, and the world, never forgetting his master and his family.

The following note from the son of his respected employer is a testimony to his worth : —

" Lambeth, November 27, 1852.

"Dear Sir,- — In reply to your note, I have personally known Mr. Reeves for upwards of twenty years. I have, while learning my business, worked in the same shop with him. He worked for my father before I was born, and for my father's brother and self altogether twenty-seven years. I have under these circumstances known him intimately, known him in his every-day life, and sometimes under trying and provoking circumstances, yet I never once knew him to forget his obligations as a Christian. He was universally respected by his shopmates ; and although it frequently happened that some would revile

PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CARE. 27

and make a mock at his religion, yet, as they were longer acquainted with him, they were bound to respect and honour his consistent character. It has never been my lot to meet with a more truly humble, consistent, zealous Christian, in my life. " I am, dear sir, yours truly,

" Henry Heffer."

A few years after the appointment of Mr. Reeves as a leader, his classes were largely increased: then came a time of trial.

He found that working " from six o'clock in the morning to eight at night," left his "time to visit the sick and the absent members too short." He felt called upon to make sacrifices : his faith in God's promises was put to the test, for to secure the time he required he must give up six to seven shillings per week. But by faith in God and from love to souls he did it : here is his own account of the conflict and the triumph : —

"I felt it my duty to sacrifice much more of my time for the Lord, to look after the little flock, so that they be not lost or wander back; and now the enemy and carnal reason (who ever stand united to prevent if possible any of God's dear children, however mean, from doing the will of their heavenly Father) began to set me a reasoning thus : ' Why, you will soon begin to grow old, you are now much afflicted in body, your club is broken up, and it is sinful not to provide for your own household before sickness and old age ; and you know it would be a grief to your mind as long as you live to be a burden to the Church of Christ ; and besides, six or seven shillings is a large sum to sacrifice ; and your Christian friends will think you have been a very lazy man.' These, and a great number of such like vain thoughts flowed into my mind for several days ; but I took them all into my closet, and, like Hezekiah, I spread them before my heavenly Father, and prayed him to make his blessed will known to me, and by the strength of divine grace enable me to do it.

"And, glory be to God, who is ever standing ready to hear a poor sinner's

PKOVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CAJiE. 29

prayer, lie soon made his will known to me by the power of his Holy Spirit convincing poor sinners of sin, and manifesting to them his pardoning love when I went to visit the sick ; and so he increased the number of our classes. Thus I went on trusting in the mercy of the Lord Jesus for about twenty years."

A poor mechanic sacrificing six to seven shillings per week that he might give the time to the Lord, is an act of faith and devotion rarely performed, and is worthy the consideration of men of superior social position, who will willingly give a subscription to a benevolent object, in order to do good by proxy, but who shun personal service. " Obedience is better than sacrifice ;" a subscription costs a rich man little, and it is not clear from Scripture that anything short of personal devotion to the cause of God will be accepted by Him who has said, " Occupy till I come."

After Mr. Keeves's employer died, the business was curtailed, so that for many months our friend had but little work ; he felt himself feeble, and could not stand to do a whole day's labour. These were trials, but providence appeared. A beloved friend, hearing of his position, invited him to his house, talked of his circumstances, and, with two others like-minded, arranged to pay his rent quarterly.

This was needed, for his earnings after 1840 appear to have been very small — considerably under twenty shillings per week ; and in 1846, they had diminished to £36 8s. 8d. ; in 1847, they were reduced to £21 8s. lid. ; in 1848, they only came to £8 2s. 2d. ; and at the close of the last year's accounts, he adds, —

" Received the last fruits of my hands' labour in this world, of Mr. John Baker, a coachmaker, when I was past seventy years of age. O that I may at last be able to say, • I cease at once to work and live.' Lord, help me. ¥m. Reeves."

In another place he says, " I commenced working at six years old, and by the mercy of God I was able to work hard till I was seventy."

PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE AND CARE. 31

His small stock of savings was diminishing ; but in 1845, another dear friend, who went before Mr. Reeves to heaven, saw a placard stating that a vacancy had occurred among the pensioners on the Walcot Charity ; and finding Mr. Reeves entitled to become a claimant on this fund, provided for parishioners of Lambeth, by an act of piety in olden time, he, with others, moved the trustees to place Mr. Reeves on the list of pensioners, and thus £16 16s. a year were secured for life.

For this, dear Father Reeves was full of gratitude to God and his friends. " It is the Lord's doing," he writes, " and it is marvellous in my eyes, who am not worthy of the least of all his mercies, and yet the Lord thought of a poor sinner, when I never thought of or expected either of these unspeakable benefits and blessings. Now I am old and very feeble, being full of bodily pain ; so here I prove the Lord is a faithful God of love. He hath said, ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 5 O, how much better and sweeter is all this than thousands of pounds of gold and silver laid up in store, and then to get lazy, and not have one desire or one hour's time in the day to visit, in Jesus, the hungry, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the thirsty !

* When all thy mercies, my God,

My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view I 'm lost

In wonder, love, and praise/ "

" And now," added the good old man, " I have been thanking my heavenly Father for the gifts of his special and particular providence bestowed on me ; and it just occurs to my mind, I have left off where I ought to have begun- — ' Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift,' 2 Cor. ix, 15 ; and thanks be to my blessed Jesus, ' who loved me and gave himself for me.' Gal. ii, 20.

' I thank thee, uncreated Sun,

That thy bright beams on me have shined ;

I thank thee, who hast overthrown

My foes, and heaFd my wounded mind ;

I thank thee whose enlivening voice